Participate in Worship

Metropolitan invites and encourages lay participation in worship. We hold several group training sessions each year and are available to meet with individuals as needed. To volunteer for one or more of these activities, please contact Pat House.

Ushers

The ushers make sure the sanctuary is ready for worship each Sunday morning and assist people who come to worship. They hand out bulletins and inserts and help people find seats, put extra seats out if needed, keep a tally of weekly attendance, organize volunteers to collect the tithes and offerings, help people come forward for communion, and tidy up after the service.

Acolytes

All youth in fifth grade and above are eligible to be acolytes. The acolytes are responsible for checking the altar candles ahead of the worship service and then lighting the candles during the prelude. The acolytes also process in with clergy and choir and participate in special services throughout the year.

Liturgists

The liturgist at the 9am worship reads scripture, prepares/reads the pastoral prayer, the invitation to the offering and the prayer of thanksgiving.

The liturgist at the 11:15am service is responsible for leading the congregation in some elements of the morning worship, including the opening prayer, prepares/reads the pastoral prayer, the invitation to the offering and the prayer of thanksgiving.

Lay Readers

The lay reader (at 11:15am only) reads the scripture lessons for the day.

Sound Techs

The sound techs arrive early and set up for the morning worship. Set up microphones, check wireless mics for batteries, guitar hook-ups, etc. They work on sound balance as the choir(s) rehearse(s). The sound tech is responsible for both morning services and makes a DVD recording of each service.

Video Camera Operator

The video operator films the service from the balcony so that copies are available for shut-ins and people unable to attend the service. Video copies are uploaded onto DVDs and stored in the library.

Communion Stewards

This group prepares communion for church services when needed. The communion steward purchases bread and grape juice, arrives early on communion Sunday and sets the table, including a gluten free option. The communion steward resets the communion table after the first service and cleans the communion elements and puts them away.

Communion Servers

A group of lay volunteers help to serve communion alongside our pastors.

Choric Choir

Choric Choir is a group of people who rehearse to present scripture in a spoken but dramatic manner.

Altar Guild

The Altar Guild is made up of a small group of members who work to support the worship services behind the scenes. Responsibilities include assisting with the preparation of communion, maintaining altar linens, conserving the banners, hanging the appropriate banners and paraments according to the liturgical seasons, servicing the reredos and kneelers, and cleaning and polishing the communion silver. Guild members feel that they are integral to the smooth running of the worship services.

Flower Committee

The flower committee arranges flowers as part of the Sunday worship services. They also enhance the peace and beauty of the sanctuary with seasonal flowers and greenery for holidays such as Advent, Christmas and Easter. Committee meetings are scheduled as needed. New members are always welcome. Sometimes we work in groups or pairs so bring your enthusiasm, creativity and love of flowers; we'll provide training and guidance. We also appreciate donations of flowers, greenery and help with cleanup.

Workshops are offered several times a year to congregation members and friends who love the beauty of flowers.

Donating the Sunday altar flowers is a wonderful way to honor or remember a special person or to celebrate an event such as a birthday or anniversary. Your gift will be noted in the Sunday bulletin. To reserve a specific Sunday, please complete the online form or contact the church office, 202-363-4900.